Prenatal HIV Testing: Is It Worth It?

Dr. Greene’s take on prenatal HIV testing…

The number of babies born in the United States who are infected with HIV has dropped dramatically since 1992, according the August 17th, 1999 edition of the Journal of the American Medical Association. The numbers are still increasing, though, in most of the world.

In the U.S., voluntary testing of mom’s HIV status, coupled with treating infected moms, has prevented many babies from catching the virus.

Getting tested for HIV seems frightening to some who are pregnant, and unnecessary to others. But this simple test, followed by treatment (if necessary) can give your baby the gift of life. And getting treated early could also give you the gift of many extra years to watch your baby grow.

Get tested.

If women around the world were given this level of care, we could virtually eliminate the tragedy of children with AIDS.